ST DRIVES TO 8-BITS

From: ac849
Date: 07/30/89-09:29:37 AM Z


From: ac849
Subject: ST DRIVES TO 8-BITS
Date: Sun Jul 30 09:29:37 1989


  Is possible to interface an ST drive
(either SD or DD) to a 130 XE.  I'm not
interested in using ST programs, I just
want to use the 3 1/2 inch disk.  Would
a special DOS be needed or would one
of the after market (Sparta or MYDOS)
be used.

                   Thanks
                   Frank
                   ac849

** Answered by JOHN SUCHY (aa271) on Mon Sep  7 11:54:48 1987 **

        While it is "possible" to use a
3-1/2" drive with the 8-bit computers,
I have not yet heard anything about it
except as vapor-ware from Atari.  The
problem is that you would need to do
a lot of design work if nobody esle has
done it for you.  Primarily, you need
an SIO to 3-1/2" interface.  
        On the bright side, if you can 
get the device attached, SpartaDos is
extremely likely to be able to run it.
I think that's what the ATR expansion
boxes used, and they could run anything
that was available back then.
        Have you looked into an 
ATR-8000?  If you can find one, that 
might solve the interface problem.
Good luck.
                        Your Co-sysop
                        John E. Suchy
                        aa271
         Thanks for ask.
        (Thanks for asking.)


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